Two-wheelers, autorickshaws continue to flout ban on Bengaluru–Mysuru highway; commuters raise safety concerns

Despite an express ban, two-wheelers and autorickshaws continue to ply the main carriageway of the Bengaluru-Mysuru access-controlled highway, raising serious safety concerns among those who regularly use this road.

Passengers say that the constant presence of banned vehicles not only interrupts the free flow of fast-moving traffic, but also significantly increases the risk of accidents, given the high speed of vehicles on the highway.

It has been almost two years since the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) imposed restrictions banning certain categories of vehicles from using the main carriageway of the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. The ban covers two-wheelers, autorickshaws, tractors, non-motorized vehicles, multi-axle hydraulic trailers and quadricycles. However, despite repeated warnings and sanctions at the initial stage, violations continue unabated, and two- and three-wheelers are frequently seen during this period.

Many motorists claim that a lack of consistent enforcement allows violators to enter the highway’s main drag. They point out that highway patrol vehicles and traffic police personnel who once manned entrances and exits are now rarely seen enforcing the ban. Commuters say the absence of visible policing has resulted in prohibited vehicles passing unchecked, endangering themselves and others.

Amruth Raj, who travels regularly between Bengaluru and Mysuru, said he comes across banned vehicles on the highway almost every day. According to him, autorickshaws can be seen especially in the early morning hours, especially up to Sheshagirihalli toll plaza in Ramanagara district. “Most of these cars use the flyover near NICE Road junction in the early hours. I have even seen motorcycles going in the wrong direction on a few occasions. Such behavior turns this area into an accident-prone zone,” he said.

Banned since August 2023

The ban was officially notified by NHAI on August 1, 2023, due to safety concerns arising from mixed traffic conditions. The movement of high-speed vehicles can pose a risk to the safety of certain classes of relatively slow-moving vehicles, such as two-wheelers, three-wheelers and other slow-moving vehicles such as non-motorized vehicles, agricultural tractors (with or without trailers), and compromise road safety aspects, due to their fragility and the speed differences involved.

Rajendra Prasad, a resident of Mandya who frequently commutes to Bengaluru, said the sudden entry of two-wheelers into high-speed traffic lanes can easily distract four-wheeler drivers and lead to collisions. “Earlier, the ban was strictly enforced and security personnel were deployed at access points. Now, some people continue to hit the highway recklessly seeking thrills,” he said.

Mr. Prasad also recalled a recent incident in which he saw a motorcyclist speeding on the highway after deliberately obscuring the registration number of the vehicle to prevent him from being identified. “In such situations, even the slightest mistake can cost lives,” he said.

monitoring systems

Other passengers questioned how the two-wheelers managed to pass the toll booths without being stopped. Ashok M., another person who frequently uses the highway, said that many cyclists who enter the main road illegally also disregard lane discipline, and that driving in the middle and right lane means faster vehicles. “If this situation continues without the intervention of police or NHAI, it could lead to serious accidents on the corridor,” he warned.

Responding to these concerns, NHAI officials said advanced monitoring systems have been put in place to prevent violations. According to officials, AI-enabled traffic enforcement cameras have been installed at important locations along both the Bengaluru-Nidaghatta and Nidaghatta-Mysuru sections. “The special cameras installed at regular intervals are aimed at enhancing surveillance and detecting a range of violations, including entry of slow moving and prohibited vehicles onto the main road,” an official said.